CBLH Design - Firm Portfolio

Firm Profile

Our Firm

CBLH Design is a proven leader in architecture, planning and interior design. For over fifty years, our firm has established successful partnerships with clients to create environments for communities to meet, create, learn and heal. Led by principals Mike Liezert, Jeff Valus and Scott Weaver, we strive to deliver unique and creative solutions to every owner and project. Our mission is to improve lives through design for our clients and their communities.

Architecture

Our firm has a celebrated history of producing award winning designs for our clients and partners. This is achievable through a successful practice of collaboration and communication from project inception through completion. We strive to continually improve our process to bring our clients the most responsive solution possible that reflects their goals, objectives, mission and values.

Interior Design

We believe that the built environment should provide a positive experience for any user or visitor to the space. Carefully responding with materials, colors, textures and scale, we create atmospheres that support the intended mission of the overall design and journey of its inhabitants.

Planning

The execution of successful architecture relies on an understanding of the needs of the spaces we are creating. Developing the program of requirements for the building, campus or community is the fundamental base to every great project. We work with our clients to develop a unique program to ensure their vision is implemented throughout the design process.

Architectural Services

Successful execution of a program requires strong planning - both functionally and aesthetically - as well as rigorous adherence to cost and schedule parameters set forth in the client’s program requirements. In addition, responsive service means solid project management with an ability to infuse the many objectives of administrators, facilities managers, and others into a project cohesively and on budget. CBLH Design’s project managers are senior professionals with extensive portfolios in directing projects and in meeting client expectations effectively.

Our services include:

Architectural

Programming & Space Requirements

Space Utilization

Master Planning

Conceptual Design

Design Development

Sustainable Design/LEED Certification

Related Services

ADA Compliance

Ohio Building Code (OBC) Surveys

Scale Models

Aerial Drone Multimedia Capture & Site

Exploration

Construction Drawings

Specifications

Code Evaluation

Construction Cost Estimating

Interior Design

Furnishings, Accessories and Art

Graphics & Signage Design

3D Renderings & Animations

Healthcare Design

CBLH Design continues to make strides in the field of healthcare design. Our passionate staff has earned many certifications and accreditations directly relating to the design of healing environments. Whether our clients choose for their projects to be LEED certified, follow the Planetree Model, become Pebble Projects or just incorporate aspects of each, CBLH is ready to help lead this process.

LEED

LEADERSHIP in ENERGY and ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Currently, 30% of our professional design staff are LEED Accredited Professionals and we are proud to have designed the first LEED Gold Certified library in the state of Ohio.

ACHA

AMERICAN COLLEGE of HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTS

Provides board certification for architects who practice as healthcare specialists and have demonstrated proven expertise. Healthcare design experience, approved portfolio submission with client references and a rigorous test are all requirements for this certification.

EBD

EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

Basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes. Evidence-Based Design Accreditation (EDAC) and Certification was created to help achieve this goal. Currently, 25% of our professional staff are EDAC Professionals. Also on staff is one professional who holds a certificate in healthcare garden design received from the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.

CBLH Design is the first and only “EDAC Advocate Firm” based in the State of Ohio

…improving lives through design

Providing World Class Healthcare Design

CBLH Design is committed to the client. Being the only Ohio based Evidence Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) Advocate Firm, we strive to focus on improving patient outcomes while increasing the Hospital return on investment. The built environment plays a large role in reducing hospital acquired infections, patient falls, staff injuries, medical errors and many other items that have an effect on the bottom line. We will utilize the evidence based design resources we have to implement these related design elements and be passionate about their inclusion.

MetroHealth Medical Center

APEX Project

MetroHealth Transformation’s promise was to replace its aging facilities and build a “Hospital in the Park” to support the surrounding neighborhood and region.

CBLH Design played an integral role in the first phase of this transformation with the design of the vertical expansion of the Critical Care Pavilion which was completed in 2016. Our role today, in collaboration with Perspectus Architecture (AOR), is to design the six-story 312,000 SF outpatient & administrative (O&A) building, 875 car parking garage (criteria only) and 20,000 SF renovation of the existing Rammelkamp building. This design/build team is led by The Turner Construction Company.

The new O&A building will be connected to the new inpatient hospital (Glick Center) via a first floor public connector and a third floor patient/staff elevated bridge connection for optimum efficiency. Anchor programs on the first and second floors include a 30,000 SF cancer center and a 10,000 SF breast center. These two programs will be displayed prominently thru the transparent first floor podium adjacent to the elongated drop off drive which will also serve the inpatient hospital. The exterior façade mimics the curtainwall proportions of the Glick Center at a smaller scale and changes in opacity to complement each interior functional component.

Location

Cleveland, Ohio

Area of Project 332,000 SF 875-Car Garage

Project Cost $140 Million

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center

In order to better serve the communities on Cleveland’s west side, University Hospitals built a new two-story freestanding cancer center on the Avon Health Center Campus. The facility is located across from the existing medical center.

The radiation oncology program on the first floor includes a clinic with exam rooms, a linear accelerator with support space, a CT suite with support space, patient changing areas, a family lounge, administration and support spaces, and a community room. The main front entry and lobby as well as infrastructure spaces including MEP rooms, IT, shipping and receiving are also located on the first floor.

The medical oncology program on the second floor includes a clinic with 16 exam rooms, an infusion therapy suite with 20 cubicles (including four private), a family lounge, a pharmacy suite, and administrative and support spaces.

The scope for this project included a total of 626 parking spaces. Approximately a half acre of existing wetland was removed. However two acres of existing wetlands are located east of the project site and remain protected and undisturbed. The team applied and received permitting through the Army Corps of Engineers to permanently remove and discharge fill material into federal jurisdictional wetland. The project is registered with USGBC to achieve LEED Certification level. The delivery method for this project is Construction Manager at Risk.

The work for the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center was performed in partnership with levelHEADS.

Location Avon, Ohio

Area of Project 38,000 SF

Cost of Construction $31 Million

The

MetroHealth System Brecksville Health Center

CBLH Design was hired as the Architect of Record for the new outpatient family health center for MetroHealth. This new LEED Certified building is situated on a 20-acre site. Using concepts from the MetroHealth Middleburg Heights location, this building is the new prototype, allowing for more interventional patient care going forward for future outpatient centers in the MetroHealth System.

The program for this building included: emergency department, ambulatory surgery and associated sterile processing, imaging, retail, pharmacy, compound pharmacy, medical office, infusion, laboratory and other public spaces. What further makes this project unique was the implementation of a new physician office approach that was designed to allow for longer patient/doctor collaboration time together without longer wait times.

The delivery method for this project was Construction Manager at Risk. It was a fast-track project with the development of several bid packages allowing for a quicker completion schedule coupled with quality design time with the users and stakeholders. CBLH Design teamed with Perspectus Architecture for this project.

The MetroHealth Brecksville Health Center was awarded the AIA/IIDA Healthcare Interior Award in 2016 by the Cleveland Chapter.

Location

Brecksville, Ohio

Area of Project 65,000 SF

Cost of Construction $32 million

Allegheny Health Network

Cancer Centers

Location

Erie, Pennsylvania

Forbes, Pennsylvania

The AHN St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Center accommodates Medical Oncology and Radiation Oncology services into an integrated out-patient facility located adjacent to the main hospital. This new two-story, 34,000 SF facility includes programming for an HDR wing and an administrative wing.

Radiation Oncology program on the first floor includes a clinic with three exam rooms (+ 3 shelled), a Linear Accelerator (site space for a future Lin ACC vault), PET/CT, HDR, patient changing area, family lounge, pharmacy, and administration space. The first floor also includes the main front entry and lobby as well as infrastructure spaces including MEP rooms, IT, shipping and receiving, etc. The Medical Oncology program on the second floor includes a clinic with eight exam rooms, infusion therapy suite with 20 cubicles (including two private), family lounge, pharmacy, and administrative space.

The Forbes Hospital Medical Clinic is a new two-story, 60,000 SF facility which includes an imaging center comprised of two MRIs, PET/CT, Fluoroscopy, X-ray, Ultrasound, and Bone Scan with a Hot Lab. Radiation oncology with six exam rooms, two linacs, CT, HDR, patient changing area, family lounge, pharmacy, and administration space. The second level of this addition includes a medical oncology clinic with 12 exam rooms, infusion therapy suite with 30 cubicles (including two private), family lounge, pharmacy, and administrative space.

CBLH Design partnered with levelHEADS, Inc. for the design of these new Allegheny Health Network locations.

University Hospitals Samaritan Richland Health Center

CBLH Design planned a new two-story freestanding medical office building for University Hospitals Samaritan Richland Health Center. The $11 million, 30,000 SF outpatient facility was built on the site of a former Big Lots, repurposing the property. The building was designed to sit parallel to the street, for both visibility and ease of access for the public, as well as southern exposure to maximize interior daylighting.

The facility features separate, well-defined access for both the main entrance and urgent care. The main entrance atrium provides an open staircase and elevator lobby in abundant natural light. There is clear wayfinding for patients and visitors with perimeter paths which provide large floor to ceiling windows for natural light and exterior views. To provide more functional transit for staff, a “back of house” circulation was created to separate staff from patient flow. This provides more efficient staff access between urgent care, imaging and laboratories.

The regional health center provides a full range of community health services including urgent care, primary care and services by specialists, including radiology, rehabilitation, laboratory, urology, cardiology and physical therapy/ community wellness. The center also includes a community room where health education seminars and screenings are offered to the public. Additionally, the building is able to accommodate a mobile MRI vehicle. This mobile imaging dock provides flexibility and access to future imaging modalities, as well as rotating mobile community wellness programs.

Location Mansfield, Ohio

Area of Project 30,000 SF

Cost of Construction $11 Million

MetroHealth Medical Center Critical Care Pavilion - Vertical Expansion

MetroHealth is planning on a long-term campus revitalization program to rebuild its campus. CBLH Design was hired as the Architect of Record for the Critical Care Pavilion expansion. This project was the first project to begin the sequence and its design will set the tone for the rest of the campus redevelopment.

This project involved building two 44-bed Universal/Acuity Adaptable Patient Care Units above an existing surgical floor and operational Emergency Department/ Level 1-Trauma Unit. To meet an aggressive design and construction schedule of 17 months, the team utilized a fast-track delivery method and used prefabricated elements such as headwalls, piping and ductwork.

Existing elevators were extended to serve the new floors above. The design included a central courtyard to allow maximum patient rooms on each floor and natural light penetration thru the floor plate.

An important feature of this project was the application of a Special Diseases Care Unit (SDCU) to handle the region’s threat of Ebola and other highly infectious diseases, the only facility designated to do so in the State of Ohio. CBLH Design teamed with Cannon Design for this project.

Location

Cleveland, Ohio

Area of Project

100,000 SF

Project Cost $82 Million

Spectrum Orthopaedics Medical Office Building / Ambulatory Surgery Center

CBLH Design was engaged as the Architect of Record by Signet Enterprises, the Developer in charge of building a new 44,100 SF free-standing Medical Office Building and Ambulatory Surgery Center.

The new tenant for the project was Spectrum Orthopaedics. A collection of doctors, surgeons and other related staff; Spectrum is the largest orthopaedic practice in the Canton, Ohio area. This project will allow their practice to consolidate from multiple sites into one location.

The primary components to this project include Primary Care with 4 exam pods (each equipped with 8 exam rooms), Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy Suite, MRI Suite with separate waiting, Radiology Suite with four Digital Radiology Rooms and four Casting Rooms, as well as a lounge and other staff areas.

The exterior and interior design reflects the practice’s progressive philosophy. Metal panels, glass curtain wall and masonry materials are intermixed to create a composition reflecting movement. The interiors take their cues from this movement that are coupled with the comforting elements of nature.

Location

Jackson Township, Ohio

Area of Project

44,100 SF

Cost of Construction

$10 million

Proposed Parking

Structure

Proposed Additions

Expanded

Future Growth to South

Landscaped Pl Entry Plaza

Department of Veterans Affairs

Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center Campus Master Plan

CBLH Design worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbus on a facilities master plan for their Ambulatory Care Center.

The goal was to identify strategies to best close the physical space gaps identified by the VA. The system was projected to double in size over a ten year period. These expansions are identified within four “Tracks”, each acting independently of the other.

Track 1

This track focused on the 20,000 SF specialty care addition and followed with a surgery addition to the second floor. Possible potential included a third floor mechanical level and fourth and fifth floors.

Track 2

This track focused on the three-story mental health/dental/diabetes addition. Highlights included a new main entrance and an enclosed bridge from the proposed parking structure. The main public corridor could be extended to create a circulation spine and facilitate wayfinding for veterans.

Track 3

This track included a two-story addition for urgent care on the first floor and cardiology on the second floor. The next two-story addition accommodated additional space for urgent care, spinal cord injury (SCI), cardiology and sterile processing (SPS).

Track 4

This track included the boiler & chiller plants, north parking structure, outpatient centers, and other off-site buildings.

Location

Columbus, Ohio

Area of Project 240,000 SF

Project Cost $198 Million

Healthcare Clients

CBLH Design is proud to have worked with the following healthcare clients:

• Affinity Medical Center, Massillon Campus

• Barberton Citizens Hospital

• Cleveland Clinic

• Euclid Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Fairview Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Huron Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center

• Lake Health System

• Lakewood Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Lutheran Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Mt. Sinai Medical Center

• Mansfield General Hospital

• Marymount Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Medical Specialists Network

• Medina Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital

• Mercy Medical Center

• MetroHealth Medical Center

• St. John West Shore Hospital

• Southwest General Health Center

• United Cerebral Palsy

• University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center

• University Hospitals Case Medical Center

• University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center

• University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center

• University Hospitals Parma Medical Center

• University of Toledo Medical Center

• Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Brecksville

• Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Dayton

• Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Pittsburgh

• Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Wade Park

• Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital

• Western Reserve Healthcare Partners

• Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University

• Wooster Community Hospital

Providing World Class Library Design

Every building type is unique, just as every book is unique. We believe that every building should consider the necessities of the client and the program. A library should reflect on the specific needs of bringing the public together for academic scholarship and the distribution of information. In addition, each library should address its individual philosophies and recognize the unique aspects of the staff, patrons and community.

Elyria Public Library System-Wide Redesign - Multiple Branches

CBLH Design worked for the Elyria Public Library System on the design of four of their branch libraries which include a new facility, an addition and two renovations as well as a distribution maintenance center. The project includes the following features:

Central Branch - With a budget of $8.85 million, a new 22,000 SF facility was built on a new site. The branch includes a large meeting room and a digital makerspace with a focus on STREAM. The design for this building included children’s area with story time space, teen area, community meeting space, staff areas and collections.

Keystone Branch - This project included the renovation of the existing building and a new addition, which increased the size of the library to 5,990 SF. This project is on a rural site and had a $2 million budget. The primary focuses of the project included meeting rooms and separate areas for children’s, teens and adult spaces.

South Branch - An adaptive reuse project, this branch is now housed in a former dairy processing facility. The renovation of the 8,000 SF building had a $1.9 million budget. The primary focus was additional youth programs and makerspaces for vocational trade activities.

West River Branch - This project is an interior renovation of the 30,000 SF building. The construction budget for this branch was $750,000. The circulation, children’s and reference desks as well as the furniture plan were revised during the design to accommodate social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

Taylor Street Facility - This project was a renovation for the system’s distribution maintenance center.

Location

Elyria, Ohio

Area of Project

More than 63,900 SF

Cost of Construction

$13.3 Million

©2021 Christian Phillips Photography

Elyria Public Library Central Branch

As part of a system-wide improvement plan, CBLH designed a new Central Branch Library; relocating the building to the eastern edge of downtown Elyria. The 22,000 SF building sits adjacent to the city’s Pioneer Plaza which allows it to take advantage of the open green-space in the center of an urban environment.

The new Central Branch Library serves as a vital primary point of information for the system by offering the largest collection of materials and access to adult, children’s, teens and senior programs from its new premier downtown location. Designed with flexibility in mind, the spacious building features a raised floor which allows library staff to easily adapt to changing programs while providing specific areas for patrons to choose from such as a quiet reading room, makerspace, storytime rooms, private study rooms and a career center.

A large 100-person seat meeting room with multi-media capabilities is included. The administrative offices are tucked behind the highly visible circulation desk which has views of both entrances, the entire library floor and the drive-through services window.

The exterior of the building respects the important urban location on which it sits and creates a new gateway to the city from the east. The choice of both cleft faces and smooth stone, as well as the vertical deep-set windows that help protect the materials within the structure, resonate with the surrounding historic Elyria public buildings. The east and west entrances echo the prominence that has proceeded this building and give way into a modest yet open lobby featuring local artist work. The west entrance faces the main parking lot. It also extends to the north to create a covered walkway that encourages pedestrians off of Broad Street and the green-space to enter the branch. The walkway also features a rotating collection of works created by local artists in prepared niches.

Location Elyria, Ohio

Area of Project 22,000 SF

Cost of Construction $8.85 Million

©2021 Christian Phillips Photography

Geauga County Public Library System-Wide Redesign - Multiple Branches

CBLH Design partnered with the Geauga County Public Library System on the design of four branch libraries.

Bainbridge Branch Library - This new 30,000 SF facility replaced an outdated facility. The project was driven by new technology for a growing young community. The makerspace includes 3D and vinyl printers. Multiple meeting rooms of different sizes were designed for this location. They include: a conference room with a kitchenette; a massive divisible community meeting space with digital AV and hearing loops; and numerous spaces to accommodate four, six and eight patrons at a time. Different color banquettes and lighting provide wayfinding for individual spaces such as the adult’s and children’s departments; the market place; assisted check-out and the central collaborative spaces, which feature all-mobile furniture for flexibility. The project was completed within its construction budget of $10.9 million.

Thompson Branch Library - This library moved to a new location to better respect the rural roots of the community. The 8,500 SF branch includes dedicated reading spaces for both children and adults as well as two study rooms that offer quiet, glass-enclosed spaces for small gatherings. A large multi-media conference room is available for patrons. A long linear thoroughfare serves as a path to easily connect all spaces through a centrally located circulation desk. The branch sits atop a five-acre property formerly occupied by Thompson School, which originated in the late 1890s. In tribute to the site and the library’s strong ties to the local schools, the old school bell hangs over the entry door to the multi-media conference room. This project is complete and had a construction budget of $4.1 million.

Middlefield Branch Library - The Middlefield Branch caters to both the Amish and Non-Amish communities. The renovation involved most of the library’s public space including modernized express check-out systems, new circulation and reference desks, new study rooms, two dedicated meeting spaces and refreshing of the existing finishes throughout. This phased project is complete and had a construction budget of $687,910.

Geauga West Branch Library - This project focused on updating the facility’s infrastructure as well as providing new study rooms and public space for library patrons. The new outdoor area provides a concrete enclosed patio and trellised reading and gathering area for the community to enjoy northeast Ohio summers. This 3,500 SF phased project is complete and had a construction budget of $464,147.

The work for the Geauga County Public Library System was performed in partnership with Perkins&Will.

Location

Geauga County, Ohio

Area of Project

Over 53,000 SF

Cost of Construction

$20.5 Million

Geauga County Public Library Bainbridge Branch

Bainbridge Library serves Geauga County’s fastest growing and urbanizing district and replaces the outgrown 10,000 SF facility that sits on the southeast corner of the site.

Following the natural topography, the building is divided into four wings: an adult wing, a children’s wing, a service and staff wing, and a community meeting wing. The economical, low-profile library building nestles into the rolling topography, but the roofline dramatically lifts up at the entry to welcome patrons while revealing the warmth of a wood-lined entry vestibule. Designed for maximum flexibility, the library spaces are comprised of “bars” of clustered rooms and a large open volume that can be functionally zoned and re-zoned through furniture and lighting accents. Roll-down security shutters segregate the library space from meeting and pre-function areas to allow for gathering and events to occur outside of library hours.

Set on a half-developed and half-wooded site in a district that is transitioning from rural township to an extended Cleveland suburb, the building helps tell this story of growth and development. The library straddles two site conditions: the man-made “orchard” on one side and the untamed “forest” on the other.

Celebrating nature while providing a modern experience were important goals for the community. Arriving visitors approach the library through a tree lined drive and parking area planted like a rationally ordered orchard. An elevated terrace extends outside the end of the adult wing where patrons can sit fifteen feet above the ground and read in the dappled light of the tree canopy itself.

The work for the Geauga County Public Library System was performed in partnership with Perkins&Will.

Location

Bainbridge, Ohio

Area of Project 30,000 SF

Cost of Construction $15 Million

Geauga County Public Library Thompson Branch

Prairie barns, crib barns, and bank barns punctuate the landscape of this rural township in Geauga County, Ohio. Just as the barn has consistently adapted and innovated over time, the library has transformed as both an information hub and a civic gathering place. Now it is filled with daylight, tools and resources to whet the community’s appetite for knowledge and connecting. The interior is simple and intuitive. One gabled volume features adult collections and services while the other gabled volume hosts children’s collections and programming along with a 50-person community meeting space. The central connecting piece is an economical volume that houses support staff behind a central service point and all of the building’s infrastructure.

In keeping with the functional and hand-made spirit of the agrarian township, the interior is a simple palette of light and dark natural materials punctuated by more textured destinations.

The building rests at the north end of a boot-shaped property that maximizes open space to the south and east while connecting to the Township’s main road at the “boot strap”. Parking and entry are on the south side to protect visitors from harsh northern winds and the snow drifts they bring. The library’s open gable ends afford east facing views onto a rolling meadow surrounded by woods. Patrons are invited to step into nature on an expansive terrace that can also host indoor/outdoor events and programming. The west facing gable welcomes approaching visitors by framing children’s activities by day and glowing like a welcoming lantern after twilight.

The work for the Geauga County Public Library System was performed in partnership with Perkins&Will.

Location Thompson, Ohio

Area of Project 8,500 SF

Cost of Construction

$4.5 Million

Heights Libraries

University Heights Library Addition and Renovation

The University Heights Branch Library began as a 11,700 SF facility on Cedar Road in the 1950’s. It was the eastern most branch of the Heights Library System, located on one of the busiest streets in one of the area’s fastest growing communities. As University Heights enjoyed widespread growth, the library began to provide more services for the surrounding community. Unfortunately, the building seemed to get lost in the commercial development that happened in the area during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

The library desired a refresh and needed additional space but was faced with limited physical area. However, it was able to acquire nearby properties which allowed for expansion and increased parking. Our team was responsible for both the reimaging of the original structure and the expansion. Replacing the heavy front façade facing Cedar Road with full height glass allowed the library to be more open and inviting to the community and encourage the public to better see the offerings inside. This open concept was incorporated into the new 10,700 SF addition at the back of the building to visually connect the spaces.

The much needed addition created space for meeting and study rooms, additional collection and reading areas, an ADA restroom and elevator. The feature of the new addition is the children’s area including a storytime room which was designed using a map theme with a large compass rose suspended in the open ceiling. A new dedicated teen room is adjacent to this space.

Location University Heights, Ohio

Area of Project 11,700 SF Renovation

10,700 SF Addition

Cost of Construction $4.3 Million

Akron-Summit County Public Library Richfield Branch

CBLH Design was selected to design the Richfield Branch Library for the AkronSummit County Public Library system, a rapidly expanding municipal service of Summit County. The design concept for this library is meant to be instructive for its users as well as entertaining.

Important aspects of the project include functionality, building image, schedule and budget. The design solution allows for good sight lines to all points of the library from the circulation desk, a rural “barn like” design to blend in with the rich history of the surrounding community as well as standard construction methods to aid in the budget and construction schedule.

In addition to meeting the typical needs of the patrons, the building also enlightens its visitors on how barns were constructed while utilizing modern materials.

Location Richfield, Ohio

Area of Project 12,000 SF

Cost of Construction

$1,519,000 (including furnishings)

Ritter Public Library

LEED Gold Addition and Renovation

Ritter’s proud history dates to the early 1900s and it became an official library in 1918. The library rented or shared various spaces until it constructed a small brick structure in 1943. While championed by many residents throughout its founding, in the 1950s George Ritter became the library’s most influential historical benefactor. Mr. Ritter, who made his fortune helping reorganize the company that later become Jeep, offered to fund, a new, larger building for the library as a tribute to his parents.

The building was federal-style with large columns across the front, incorporated limestone and pink marble, had separate adult and children areas and a community room. A small addition in the early 1980s created another entrance and more meeting space. In the mid-2000s, the library again looked to expand to better serve the Vermilion community.

CBLH Design was contracted to perform an analysis of the existing building and develop a program of service for an expansion and renovation. Assessments were conducted architecturally and systemically, the existing collection was surveyed, conceptual sketches were developed and growth factors applied. Models and renderings were developed and we assisted the library in successful passage of a bond issue to fund the expansion.

The resulting project was a 17,130 sf renovation and 18,000 sf addition that complemented the historic structure while also being contemporary. A new community room, more meeting spaces, a computer lab and expanded areas for children, teens, and adults were included. A wide range of technologies and strategies were incorporated for energy efficiency, water savings, and indoor environmental quality.

A vegetative planted roof that serves as an educational tool to demonstrate reduction of rainwater run-off and heat island effect is visible from the second floor. The use of low-flow plumbing fixtures and a rainwater cistern allow the building to use only a quarter as much water as a normal structure. Energy savings are also realized from the VRF HVAC system, insulation and efficient windows. These measures, along with many others, led the US Green Building Council to recognize Ritter as the first Ohio public library certified as LEED Gold.

CBLH continues our relationship with Ritter in 2021 by assisting them with additional interior improvements including renovating computer and fiction areas, community spaces and service desk / self-checkout stations

Location

Vermilion, Ohio

Area of Project

17,130 SF Renovation

18,100 SF Addition

Cost of Construction

$4.9 Million

Lakewood Public Library Addition and Renovation

Lakewood Public Library is an Andrew Carnegie 1908 building that has been added onto three times. Our project involved a 45,000 SF addition and total renovation and infrastructure replacement of the existing 50,000 SF structure.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects was selected to design the project. CBLH Design teamed with them to produce the contract documents, manage the structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering consultants and to provide contract administration services.

The design involved restoration of the existing structure’s facade and is sympathetic to the existing classical architectural style while giving the addition and renovation a fresh architectural statement. The project is designed using LEED certifiable principles and materials respecting the Library Board’s desire to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

Location Lakewood, Ohio

Area of Project 45,000 SF Addition 50,000 SF Renovation

Project Cost $15.6 Million

Library Clients

CBLH Design is proud to have worked with the following library clients:

Akron-Summit County Public Library

• Richfield Branch

• West Hill Branch

Canal Fulton Public Library

Cuyahoga County Public Library

• Beachwood Branch

• Parma-South Branch

• North Olmsted Branch

• Solon Branch

• South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch

Cuyahoga Falls Library

Elyria Public Library

• Central Branch

• LaGrange-Keystone Branch

• South Branch

• West River Branch

Extension Library District of Huron County

• Greenwich Branch

• Wakeman Branch

• Willard Branch

Geauga County Public Library

• Bainbridge Branch

• Chardon Branch

• Geauga West Branch

• Middlefield Branch

• Thompson Branch Heights Libraries

• University Heights Library

Lakewood Public Library

Madison Public Library

Medina County District Library

• Brunswick Library

• Medina Library

Ritter Public Library

Rocky River Public Library

Stow-Monroe Falls Public Library

Twinsburg Public Library

Wadsworth Public Library

Providing World Class Higher Education Design

We understand that colleges and universities are environments for intellectual, creative, physical and social growth. Our building designs motivate and energize students, teachers and the communities that surround these institutions. We create environments that enhance student learning, encourage personal development and promote research.

University of Akron

Anthony J. Alexander Professional Development Center

The University of Akron Anthony J. Alexander Professional Development Center is the new expanded home of the College of Business Administration (CBA). The development center will prepare students for global business including internship support, business analytics, international development, leadership, and boardroom environments. Common areas throughout foster collaboration and support flexibility. As in all modern campus buildings flexibility is key. The second floor corporate classroom area features a folding glass wall which can be opened to the common space to allow for larger community, corporate and international events. The Center contains a speaking studio where students receive presentation skills coaching and record themselves for self-analysis. The building also includes offices for the Institute for Leadership Advancement and professional development staff.

Funding for the project was provided by 280 donors from the Northeast Ohio business community. This tremendous support illustrates how a community can support an institution and help develop young professionals to become the successful business leaders of tomorrow.

Location Akron, Ohio

Area of Project 17,500 SF

Cost of Construction $5.45 Million

Cleveland State University Washkewicz College of Engineering

After receiving a generous donation, Cleveland State University decided to build a large 100,000 square foot building adjacent to Fenn Hall to bring the complex up to today’s engineering education standards and promote “Engineering on Display”.

The project is LEED Gold Certified and included laboratory, simulation, and classroom spaces for Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering. It also included makerspaces, collaborative learning spaces and faculty offices. CBLH Design teamed with Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) for this project.

The new building provides the College of Engineering a strong presence off Chester Avenue and acts as a gateway to north campus.

The Cleveland State University Washkewicz College of Engineering was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Design for Post-Secondary by the American School & University Magazine.

Location Cleveland, Ohio

Area of Project 100,000 SF

Cost of Construction $46.1 Million

Cuyahoga Community College – Western Campus Auto Tech Expansion

Our team was selected to design the expansion of the West Campus-Auto Tech Facility. The intent of the Auto Tech expansion and renovation project was to provide for an expanding program. The goal was to create a flexible learning space that approximates the complete real world auto repair environment, from showroom floor to specialized maintenance labs, while exuding an automotive aesthetic throughout. The Student Break Cafe utilized garage shop inspired cabinetry and tire track patterns for the carpet.

An interior renovation and an addition was designed to accommodate a new space for the Ford Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) program and expand the capacity of existing GM program. In addition to new classrooms and a 6,500 square foot automotive tech lab, the new reimagined space improves circulation, spatial relationships, visibility of the labs, and administrative control of the facility. CBLH Design partnered with Arkinetics, Inc. for this project.

Location Parma, Ohio

Area of Project 40,800 SF

Cost of Construction $7.27 Million

Case Western Reserve University

Tinkham-Veale University Center

CBLH Design provided Construction Administration support for the new Tinkham Veale University Center at Case Western Reserve University for Perkins+Will Architects.

The University Center was designed and constructed in a effort to give students and faculty a campus center that is identifiable and practical. For most of the University’s history, the campus has had a perceived split because of its location on two sides of a major street (Euclid Avenue). The sighting and design of this building is meant to address this perception.

The building is designed to have an “always open” aspect. Spaces will support social and cultural engagement, meetings and events, as well as food and beverage. The social and cultural areas consist of common space, lounges, immersion entertainment and a media/technology component. The design is built around circulation. Event spaces and student support spaces area scattered throughout the building in an effort to engage the user with the architecture.

Awards & Recognition:

▪ American Institute of Architects, Georgia Excellence Award

▪ American Institute of Architects, Chicago Distinguished Building Divine Detail Interior Architecture Ten Year Award

Location

Cleveland, Ohio

Area of Project

82,000 SF

Cost of Construction $36 million

Cleveland State University Main Classroom Building - Student Services Center

CBLH Design assisted Cleveland State University in modifying and renovating the Main Classroom Building to provide students and faculty with a modernized Student Services Center.

This project was done in three separate phases so that the building could remain in use throughout the entire construction period.

▪ Phase 1 included the construction of a new stair and elevator tower at the north end of the building.

▪ Phase 2 of the project enclosed the 50,000 SF of outdoor space in preparation for the Phase three buildout work.

▪ Phase 3 of the project was the build-out of the plaza level. Some of the major elements of this phase included a four-story atrium, student services department build-outs, an 800-seat auditorium renovation, pedestrian bridge renovation and conference facility.

This project was awarded Outstanding Design for Renovation/Modernization in 2008 by the American School & University Magazine, and the 2008 Award of Excellence by Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

Location Cleveland, Ohio

Area of Project

Phase 1 - 20,000 SF

Phase 2 - 80,000 SF

Phase 3 - 85,000 SF

Cost of Construction

Phase 1 - $ 4,245,000

Phase 2 - $ 8,805,000

Phase 3 - $11,885,000

Higher Education

CBLH Design is proud to have worked with the following educational clients:

• Baldwin Wallace College

• Bowling Green State University

• Case Western Reserve University

• Cleveland State University

• Cuyahoga Community College

• Kent State University

• Northeast Ohio Medical University

• The Ohio State University

• The University of Akron

• The University of Toledo